Weight-testing machine.



PATENTED MAY 31, 1904,

E. A. SMITH,

WEIGHT TESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOVA?. 1902.

4 sHEETs-sEEET'l.

N0 MODEL.

' ATTORNEY.

n PATENTED MAY 3T, 1904.' E.v A. SMITH. WEIGHT TESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 17,1902.

4 SHBBTSFSHEET 2.1l

WTNESSES l A TTORNEY. f

THE Nonms PETERS co.. PMoro-LITHO.. wnsumcnop. n. c.

4 SHEETS-SHEET a.

PATBNTBII MAY 31,1904. E. A.`sMIT1I..- I WEIGHT TESTING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED NOV.17, 1902.

N0 MODEL.

PATENTBD MAY 31, 1904.

vl\o."'761,614..

' .-B. A. SMITH.

` .WEIGHT TESTING MACHINE.

l APPLIGATION PILBDvNov. 1v, 1902. v

No MODEL. 1 4 sEnBTsfsHnmfi.

TN: Nonms vzrzas oo., Puormumo., wAsHlNm'cN. D. c.

' f UNITED n STATES e Patented May 31, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

SMITH MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF SEATTLE, V CORPORATION OF WASHINGTON.

WASHINGTON, A

vWEIGHT-TESTING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming partvof Letters Patent No. I761,614, dated May 31, 1904.

Application iled November 17, 1902. Serial No. 131,699. (No model.)

I which acts automatically and is especially adapted to test and assort filled cans.

` Among numerous objects attained by this invention and readily understood from the following speciiication and accompanying draw- 2O ings, included as a part thereof, is the production of an inexpensive automatic weighttesting and assorting machine embodying essential features of adaptability, simplicity, and general efciencywhich greatly facili- 25 tates the labor of testing the weight of packages, insures detection of the packages which are'light in weight, and renders it possible to produce a superior and compactly-arranged machine of this class at comparatively small cost.

The above-mentioned'and numerous other` objects equally as desirable are attained by the constructions, combinations, and arrangement of parts, as disclosed on the drawings,

' 35 set forth in this speciication, and succinctly pointed out in the appended claims.

With reference to the drawings iiled herewith and bearing similar reference characters for corresponding parts throughout, Figure 1 is a plan view-otl the machine with the outer portions of one of the package-conveyl ers and one of the jaws of the shifter broken away and other parts of the machine broken out to better disclose the details of construction. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of the machine and indicates the package-shifter in transverse section, taken on line 2 2 of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a perspective View, on small jaws In gripping relation to the cans.

This invention includes a frame, as 8, suitable weight-testing apparatus, as a scale 9, operable mechanism associated with the scale for placing land removing packages relatively thereto, and package-assorting mechanism coactingly related to the removing lmechanism and operably controlled by the weight of the packages tested. The frame 8 is rendered of any desired form suitable to support the several parts of the machine, but as now considered comprises in the main a base-plate 10, y

a standard 11, arranged adjacent one side edge of the base to support the package-shifting device 12 relatively to the scale 9,-and vertical side pieces 10', suitably disposed to support the mechanism of the conveyers, as 14, 15, and 15", which are adapted to conveniently transport the packages to and from said shifter.

' In the present embodiment the scale 9 includes an upper and a lower beam, respectively marked as 16 and 16', which are connected at one end to a suitable bracket 17 by respectivepivots 20, a vertical bar 18, pivotally connected to the free end of each beam and supporting the platform`19 of the scale, and a suitable weight-testing spring 21, attached at one end to the lower end of said bar and connected at the upper end to an adjustable screw 22, which has screw-threaded engagement with a thumb-n'ut23, suitably seated on a laterally-projecting leaf 24 of said bracket, so that the tension of said spring may be adjusted, and as now considered a suitable adjustable stop,'as a vertically-disposed thumb-bolt 25, having a screw-thread ed IOl engagement with said leaf and normally lying with the lower end impinging the upper beam, is arranged to hold said spring at a predetermined tension slightly less than that imposed by a package of standard weight, so that the movement of platform 19 will be reduced to a minimum and the shifting of the packages facilitated relatively thereto.

The shifting device 12 includes a suitable carrier 26, preferably consisting of an endless link belt arranged on horizontally-disposed chain-wheels, as 27, rotatably mounted as idlers in any convenient manner on the upper end of standard 1l. This chain is adapted to carry laterally-projecting package-gripping jaws, as 28, which are operably mounted on the chain throughout its length, so as to open and close relatively to each other to grasp the packages therebetween, and each jaw preferably comprises a rotatable stem 29, having oppositely-disposed gripping-faces 30, which cooperate with the gripping-faces of the adjacent jaws to grasp the package and mounted lon a horizontally-disposed pivot 31, seated on a shoe, as 32, suitably attached to a link of the chain. In the present instance the grippingfaces 30 are conveniently rendered iieXible, so as to conform to the size and contour of the package as `-each pair of the jaws are brought to grip the same, and as now considered each face comprises a section of closely-coiled resilient wire supported on the outer ends of suitable laterally-projecting arms, as 33, fastened on the stem at separated points.

The shoes 32 each consists of a bar of metal rectangular in cross-section and having a notch 34 in the outer side surface adapted to receive a wiper 35, which consists of a laterally-projecting finger secured to the base of a respective stem 29 and normally bearing upon a track, as 36, arranged along the path of movement of the shoes as the base-wall of a suitable guideway, as 36', adapted for the chain. This track is broken away at suitable points, as 37, so that the wipers will ride free thereof at predetermined points and allow the jaws to rotate responsively to action of a suitable spring 38, attached to said shoes and to lugs 38- on the stems 29. In the present instance these wipers are suitably positioned to bear upon said track when the jaws are in closed position, and the breaks in the track are suitably disposed to allow the jaws to swing open at suitable points to receive the packages to be tested and also at the point of delivery of the gripped packages to the scales. As now considered three closely-associated breaks occur in the track along one side of the shifter and are so disposed that three of the jaws standing in gripping relations to each other will be opened and closed simultaneously, and the packages to be tested are delivered to the shifter between the rear and intermediate jaws as they stand open, and the scale-platform 19 is placed to receive the gripped package from these jaws as they open after advancement. ln the present embodiment the shifter operates intermittently step by step to afford ample time between cach movement for the package to be properly weighed, and the length of each step conforms to the distance between the point of delivery of the packages to the shifter and the platform of the scale. rlhis motion is given to the shifter by a continuously-operating driver 39, Fig. 3, consisting of a connecting-rod 40, having upwardly-projecting drive-arms 41, preferably spaced equally to the jaws of the shifter, and a downwardly-extending lug 43, oppositely-disposed cranks 42, suitably pivotally mounted beneath the shifter and having their crank-pins disposed at radii equal to half of the length of a step of the shifter and engaged with said rod and adapted to movably support the same, and a driving-crank 44 el equal throw to said crank-arms and fixed on a suitably-mounted drive-shaft 45, with the crankpin operably engaged with lug 43. This driver is suitably disposed to cause the upper ends of the drive-arms to come in contact with the stems of the jaws just as the crank-arms pass upwardly from a horizontal position, Fi 2, and thereby serve to advance the shifter d u ring the upper half of each revolution and to play clear of the shifter and allow it to lie momentarily idle during the lower half. The packages to be tested are conveniently brought to the shifter by a conveyer 14, which preferably comprises a section of ordinary leather belting operably mounted on horizontally-disposed idlers 46, suitably positioned to lead the belt at right angles to the line of active travel of the shifter, with the delivery end directly beneath the first two breaks in the track 36, with the upper run of the belt in substantially the same plane with the upper surface of scale-platform and one edge closely adjacent thereto. rlhe packages tested are conveniently taken from the shifter after their removal from the scale by means of conveyers 15 and 15', the latter of which is arranged substantially the same as the conveyor 14 on the idlers 46', placed at the opposite side of the machine, and the'latter is mounted on idlers 47, disposed at right angles to idlers 46' and suitably positioned to lead the belt in direct alinement with the line of active travel of the shifter, with the receiving end of the upper run passing over convcyer 15' closely adjacent the scale-platform 19, 'so when a leading jaw on the shifter passes about the rear chain-wheel it clears from the package, which is then carried away on belt'l, or, if desired, the package can be forced to travel diagonally across this belt to the belt 15' by means of a suitable operable switch, as 49, which is brought diagonally across the line of travel of the package, whereby the packages can he assorted as they come from the shifter.

The eonveyer 15 is suitably driven by a pul- IOO belt 53 and rendered of suitable length to eX- tend to a shaft 54, journaled in frame 8 and which carries a pulley 56 similar to pulley 5,0 and is engaged with the lower run of conveyer 15', and a similar pulley 59 is likewise conveyer 14 on a shaft 54'. The shaft 52 is operably coupled tol shaft 54 by a' pairv of bevelgears 58, and shaft 54 is' operably coupled to shaft 54 by a trainv of bevel-gears 58', whereby the conveyers will be operated simultaneously'and be made to travel Vin the desired directions. As now considered guardrails, asl 60, are suitably supported parallel 'i the edges of theconveyers on the side pieces kof frame 8 at the proper elevation thereof conveyer 14 and includes springadvanced stops, as 63, reciprocally'mounted one in advance of the other at one side of the conveyer so when in advanced position they will project into the path of movement of the packages and when retracted will lie clear thereof.

placed with the bent portions disposed inwardly relatively to the conveyer, and the lstems are slidably mounted in suitable horizontally-disposed apertures formed one over the other in a housing 64, and springs are suitably connected to the 'stops to norlnally yieldingly hold them in advanced position,and a rock-bar 66 is operably'relateol to said stops to retract them alternately, and thereby 'release `a preceding package while holding in check the succeeding packages.. As now considered the stops are suitably separated to embrace the package, and the rock-bar 66 is composed of a vertical shaft suitably rotatably mounted at one side of frame 9 and oppositely-disposed pins 67, arranged thereon at right angles thereto and rendered of suitable length to engage in respective stirrups 68, which are connected to bars 69, iiXed on the ends of the stems of said stops. n

The rock-bar 66 is suitably operably connected to drive-shaft 45 by means of a cam 67', which is secured to said shaft, a springretracted slide-bar 68', having' a roller 69' mounted thereon in contact with said cam, and an arm 70, iixed to said bar'and pivotally These stops are. rendered substantially U-shaped and eachl 'engaged with anV arm 71, Xed to saidr'oekbar, whereby the arm` is reciprocated to operate the check 62 to release the packages cor-` relatively to the steps of the shifter.

In the present embodiment the.packageas sorting switch 49 comprises a vertically-disposed shaft 71', suitably rotatably mounted in the frame 8 at one side of the conveyer 15 and having a laterally-disposed arm 7 2 iiXed thereto above said conveyer and which is of suitable length to extend diagonally thereacross.

vThis switch is operably related to the shifter.- mounted in contact with the lower run of.:

driving mechanism and its action placed under control of the package as weighted by .suitable mechanism operably related tothe mechanism of scale 9, so that if the package weighed is light the switch is automatically set by action of said shifter-driving mechanf ism to force the package to travel diagonally vacross conveyer 15 as it is removed from the,

scales, and thereby switches same to conveyer 15'.

As now considered slide-bar 68' is extended rearwardly and provided with a notch 7 3 linthe under surface adapted to engage an operj able slide-pawl 74, Fig. 6, which is pivotally connected to arm of a pivotally-moun ted rocker 76, carrying a second arm J77 operably connected to shaft 71 of the switch by a connecting-rod`7 7 pivoted at one end thereto and at the other end to arm 7 8,- iiXed to said shaft, and a spring 7 9, attached to last-said arm and to the frame of the machine, serves Vto swing the switch to an open position when pawl 74 is released from bar 68, Figs. 1 and 7. To release this pawl from. notch 73, a

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spring-actuated push-pin 8O is slidably mounted on the bar with one end resting upon thev pawl, and a spring 81 is suitably disposed to. urge` this p in to push the head of the lpawl fromsaid notch, and a check-lug 82 is disposed beneath the pawl at the advanced position of f the head thereof to secure it in the notch at this point, Fig. 7. The cam 67', whichoperates slide-bars 68', is suitably formed and set to allow said bar to be retracted by a spring, as 83,l as driver 39 is advancing'to operate the shifter, and as pawl 74 rides clear of check conveniently set pawl74 when resting in re-v tracted position, so that it will engage in .notch73 as the slide-baris advanced and there- Eby serve to close the switch, I have provided suitable pawloperating mechanism, which is associated with the shifter-operating mechanism and operably controlled by suitable scale-operated mechanism arranged to act to normally block same from operating Vthe pawl. The 'pawl-operating mechanism now considered' includes a rock-beam, as 85, lixedly mounted on a suitably-supported pivot 85 over a suitable cam 86, secured to driveshaft 45, and this beam is urged to rock by a suitable spring 87, attached to the outer end thereof, and a cam-roller 87 is mounted on this beam at a point intermediate pivot 85 and said spring. At the inner end of the beam a suitable downwardly-extend ing leg 88 is secured which carries a laterally-projecting foot 89, disposed beneath the retracted position of the head of pawl 7 4 and supporting same when disengaged from the slide-bar. The cam .86 is suitably formed to allow spring 87 to operate beam 85 at a predetermined part of the revolution, and thereby lift said pawl to engage notch 73 as the slide-bar is advancing, and thus close the switch, and as now considered the cam is suitably set on the driveshaft to allow the beam to thus act just after a package has been brought to platform 19.

The mechanism for controlling the action of the pawl-operator includes a depending arm 90, secured to pivot 85', so as to swing with the rock-beam, and having a laterallyprojecting strike-lug 90', arranged to pass between a pair of posts, as 91, as the beam acts to raise the pawl, and an operable gate, as 92, comprising a bar pivotally supported at one end, is suitably disposed to cause the free end to lie across the path of movement of said arm at the posts when the gate is properly operated. This gate is mounted on a stand, as 93, and is operably connected to one of the beams of scale 9 by a rod 94, pivoted to the gate lclosely adjacent the mounting, so as to increase the length of travel of the gate over that of the scale, and adjustably conne'cted to a bracket, as 95, on the post 18 of scale 19 by oppositely-disposed nuts 96, having screw-threaded engagement with the upper end of this rod and embracing the bracket. The gate is properly set relatively to movement of the scale-platform to cause the free end to lie in the path of arm 90 when a package of standard weight is on the scale; but should a package of light weight be placed on the platform the gate is not swung sufficiently to block the path of the arm, and the pawl-operating mechanism will then be free to act to engage the pawl with bar 68, and the switch Will be thereby closed as the bar is advanced and serve to force the light package to conveyer l5.

In the present embodiment the machine is constructed to handle filled cans, and the several parts are rendered of suitable size to handle packages of this description, which are fed to the machine by placing them on conveyer 14 in an upright position. As the cans approach the delivery end of this conveyer they are engaged by check 62, the stops of which operate correlatively to shifter 12 to release one can during the lower half of each revolution of driver 39, and the conveyer advances the released can to shifter 12, as thc jaws which are in position to receive same stand open. The shifter is operated during the upper half of each revolution of the driver and the jaws embracing the can close and grip same during the primary advance of the shifter and again open as the shifter comes to rest with the advanced can on the scale-platform, and a succeeding jaw will then stand open at the receiving-point. The scales will be operated by the advanced can as said jaws stand open, and if it be of standard weight the gate 92 will be brought thereby to check the pawl-operating mechanism, and as the pawl 74 is released from slide-bar 68 spring 7 9 swings switch 49 open and allows the tested can to be carried away by conveyer 15 when shifted thereto by the following step of the shifter. If, however, the can is under weight, the gate fails to act to stop the pawl-operating mechanism, which will act to rengage the pawl with the slide-bar, and the switch will be thereby closed prior to a second step of the shifter and made to act to switch the can to conveyer 15 as it is removed from the scales.` During the second step of the shifter the jaws, which stand open, close and grip the advanced can and also the one placed in the shifter by conveyer 14 during the pause of the shifter and which is advanced to the scale as the tested can is removed.

It will be thus seen that the machine is automatic throughout, and by regulating the gate 92 by adjusting the length of rod 94 the machine can be set to detect cans which are in the slightest degree under weight and assort them from those of standard weight as they are passed from the scales.

The machine is simple of construction, has few parts likely to get out of order, and is compactly arranged. Furthermore, it is positive in action, operates rapidly and accurately, and occupies but limited space.

Having thus described my invention,what l claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States of America, is

1. In a weight-testing and asserting machine, the combination with a frame, of a scale, package placing and removing mechanisms, a shifter operating across the scale intermediate the said mechanisms, a driver intermittently engaging the shifter, and means controlled by the scale for automatically assorting tested packages.

2. 1n a weight-testing and asserting machine, the combination with a frame, of a weight-testing apparatus, package placing and removing mechanisms, a shifter operating across the weight-testing apparatus intermediate the said mechanisms, a driver intermittently engaging the shifter, intermittentlyoperating means related to the said removing mechanism for asserting tested j'iackages, and means operated by said weight apparatus for automatically controlling the assortin g means.

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3. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination with a frame, of a scale,

. erating package-switching means related to said removing mechanism, and switch-controlling means operated by the-saidtscale.

4. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination with a frame, of a scale, package placing and removing mechanisms, package-switching arms operating laterally across the said removing mechanism, meansto intermittently operate said arms, and means controlled by the scale for automatically setting-said switch-operating armsfto act.

5. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination with a frame, of a weight-testing apparatus, package placing and removing mechanisms, means operating interined iate the said mechanisms for grippingand transferring packages, and means controlled by said weight-testing apparatus for automatically assorting tested packages( 6. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination with a frame, of a scale, package-placing mechanism, package-removing mechanisms comprising a plurality of conveyers traveling in divergent paths, and means controlled by the scale for automatically switching tested packages upon said removing-conveyers.

" 7. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination with a frame, of a scale, package-placing mechanism, package-removing mechanisms comprising a plurality of conveyers traveling in divergentl paths, packageswitching arms operating across the removing-conveyers to automatically switch tested packages, and switcli-controlling means operated'by the said scale.

8. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; the combination with a frame, and scale; of package-removing mechanism including a conveyer and a driver, a switch comprising arms mounted to swing across said conveyer, mechanism to intermittently operably connect said driver tothe switch and means operably related to the mechanism of said scale to auto matically control said connecting mechanism. 9. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; the combination with a frame, scale, a drive-shaft, andl package-removing mechanism; of an intermittently-operable packageswitch associated with said mechanism, a spring-retracted slidably-mounted pawl operably connected to said switch, a slide-bar operably connected with said shaft and adapted to engage said pawl, means to disengage said v pawl at a predeterminedpoint in the travel of said bar, a spring-retracted rock-beam, means carried by said shaft to operate the beam, means carried by the beam to urge said pawl to engage said bar when the beam is operated,

yconveyer to the scale.

and means operably connected to the mechanism of said scale to normally hold said beam inactive.

10. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; the .combination with anoperable package-switch, and a drive-shaft; of a spring-retracted pawl operably connected with said switch, a spring-retracted slide-bar adapted to y engage with said pawl, acamvon said shaft to move said bar, means to disengage said pawl y from the bar', at a predetermined point in the travel of said bar, a spring-retracted rock-v beam, a cam on said shaft to move said beain, means associated with said bar to urge` said pawl to engage said bar, and means operably connected tothe mechanism of said scale' to; control the action of said beam.

11. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination-withaframe, ofa scale, a package-shifter, a driver intermittently engaging the shifter, normally inoperative package-switching mechanism associated with the driver, and means connected with the mechanism of said scale for setting the switching mechanism to act.

12. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination with a scale, a switch' and a drive-shaft, of a plurality of conveyers,

mechanism connected with said shaft to operate said switch across the said conveyers, and means operated by the scale to control the lswitch-operating mechanism.

13. In a weight-testingy and assorting machine, the combination with a frame and scale,

of a feed-conveyer, means for driving said' conveyer, -a feed-regulator comprising recip- IOO rocating spring-advanced stops, means operated by the driving mechanism for alternately retracting the stops, and a shifter for convey- .ing packages from the feed-conveyer to the scale. l

14. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination with a frame, of a scale,

a continuously-operating package-feed conveyer, means for driving the said conveyer, a

. feed-regulator comprising reciprocating package-engaging stops, means to normally yieldingly hold said stops in advanced position, means operated by the driving mechanism for alternately retracting the said stops, and a shifter for conveying packages from the feed- 15. In a weight-testing-and assorting machine, the combination with a frame,of a scale,

gaging the shifter for operating the same,

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means for conveying packages to the shifter, and means for conveying packages from the shifter in different directions.

17. In a weight-testing and asserting machine; a package-shifting device, avdriver intermittently engaging the package-shifting device for operating the same, a conveyer adapted to bring packages to said device and a second conveyer to carry away packages.

18. In a weight-testing and asserting machine; the combination with a frame, and scale; of a package-shifting device operating across the scale, a driver intermittently engaging the package-shifting device to impart a stepby-step movement thereto, a continuously-acting conveyer adapted to convey packages to the shifting device,and a second continuouslyacting conveyer .for conveying packages from said shifter.

19. In a ,weight-testing machine, the combination with Aa frame, and scale; of a package-shifting device operating across the scale,

a driver intermittently engaging said package-shifting device, a continuously-acting conveyer adapted to transport packages to said Shifter, a second conveyer to carry packages away from said shifter and driving mechanism for operating said conveyer.

20. In a Weight-testing and asserting machine; the .combination with a frame, and Weight-testing apparatus; .of a package-shifting device adapted to place and remove packages relatively to said apparatus, a driver intermittently engaging the said package-shifting device to impart a step-by-step movement thereto, a conveyer for transporting packages to said shifter at one side of the apparatus,

' and a conveyer at the opposite side to carry tested packages from said shifter.

21. In a Weight-testing'machine; the combination with a frame, and scale; of a package-shifting device having laterally-projecting-package-gripping parts adapted to place and remove packages relatively to said scale, a driver intermittently engaging the said shifting device, a conveyer disposed at an angle to .the line of action of said device for transporting packages thereto at one side of the scale, and means at the opposite side of the scale for carrying packages away from said shifter'.

22. In a weight-testing and asserting machine; the combination with a frame, and scale; of a shifter associated with said scale and comprising'an operably-mounted endless belt, and laterally-projecting package-engaging parts carried on said belt, means to deliver packages to said shifter at one side of the scale, and package-asserting mechanism at the opposite side of the scale operably connected with the mechanism of said scale for automatically asserting tested packages.

23. In a weight-testing and asserting machine; the combination with a frame, and scale;

of a shifter comprising anendless carrier having laterallyprojecting package -engaging parts arranged to pass across Isaid scale, a driver adapted to impart a step-by-step movement to said shifter, an endless conveyer at one side of the scale operably connected with said driver for delivering packages to said shifter, endless cross-convcyers at the opposite side el the scale operably connected with said driver for conveying away packages, a packageswitching device associated with last-said conveyers and intermittently operably connected with said driver, and means connected with the mechanism of said scale for automatically controlling said switching device.

211. In a weight-testing and asserting machine; the combination with aframe,and scale; of a shifter 12 adapted to place and remove packages relatively to said scale, a packagefeeding conveyer 14 disposed at one side of the scale at right angles to the line of action of the shifter, a package-removing conveyer 15 disposed at the opposite side of the scale, a conveyer 15 crossing said removing-conveyer, mechanism to drive said conveyers and shifter correlatively, an intermittentlyoperable package-switching device associated with said cross-conveyers and operably related to said driving mechanism, and means operahl y connected with the mechanism of said scale for controlling the action of said switching device.

25. In a weight-testing and asserting machine; the combination with a frame, and scale; of a shifter associated with said scale and comprising an endless belt mounted on wheels operating on a vertical axis, and horizontallydisposed package-engaging parts spaced equidistantly throughout said belt, a package-feeding conveyer disposed at one side of the scale with the active run passing beneath the line of movement of said package-engaging parts, a package-removing conveyer likewise disposed at the opposite side of the scale and a second package-removing conveyer, means to drive said conveyers and shifter correlatively, an intermittently-operable package-switching device associated` with said removing -conveyers and operably related to said driving means, and means operably connected with the mechanism of said scale for automatically controlling the actionof said switching device.

26. In a weight-testing amlassorting machine, the combination with a frame, an endless package-placing conveyer, and an endless package-removing conveyer, a weight-testing apparatus intermediate said con veyers,an endless package-shifting device operating between the conveyers across the scale, a driver intermittently engaging the endless shifter, and means for operating the driver and the conveyers.

27. In a weight-testing and asserting machine, the combination with a frame, of a package-shifting device, comprising an endless carrier, a plurality of laterallyprojecting IOO yrocking package-gripping jaws mounted" on chine, the combin ation with a frame, of a package-shifter comprising, an endless link belt, a plurality of laterally-projecting rocking package-gripping jaws mounted upon the belt, and IIgnrans to rock the jaws by movement of said 30. In a weight-testing'and assorting machine, the combination with a frame of a package-shifter comprising, an endless carrier, a

plurality of laterally-projecting rocking package-gripping jaws mounted upon thecarrier, and means for imparting a step-by-step movement to the carrier, and means whereby said jaws are rocked at predetermined points by movement of said carrier.

31. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; a package-shifting device, comprising a movably-mounted endless belt, a plurality of jaws operably mounted in package-gripping relations on s aid belt, means to impart a step-by-step movement to the belt and means whereby correlative jaws are opened as the belt comes to rest and are closed as the belt again moves.

32. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; a package-shifting device, comprising a movably-mounted endless carrier, rotatable jaws having oppositely-disposed faces operably mounted in package-gripping relations on said carrier -throughout its length, and

vmeans whereby said jaws are rotated at predeterminedv points during movement of the carrier. f 'Y 33. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; a package-shifting device, comprising a movably-mounted endless belt, laterally-disposed rotatable jaws having oppositely-disposed faces operably mountedv in packagegripping relations on said carrier throughout its length, means to impart to said belt a stepby-step movement and means to rotate correlative jaws at predetermind points by movement of said carrier.

34. In aweight-testing and assorting mach ine; a package-shifting device, comprising a horizontally-disposed movably-mounted endless belt, laterally-d isposed rotatable jaws having oppositely-disposed faces and operably mounted in package-gripping relations on said carrier throughout its length, means to norinally hold the jaws with vthe faces in gripping position, means to impart to said belt a stepby-step movement and means whereby relative jawsV are opened rotatably as the belt comes to rest and are 'closed'r'otatably as the belt again moves.

35. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; a package-shifting device, com prising an endless belt, wheels for said belt, mounted l on vertically disposed axles, a guideway,v shoes in said way attached to the belt, hori- 36. Ina weight-testing and assorting machine, rocking package-jaws having normally parallel flexible faces composed of resilient material.

j 37. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; a package-gripping jaw having a ilexible face comprising a coil of resilient wire supported at separated points.

38. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, rocking package-jaws having normally parallel flexible faces. c

39. In a weight-testing and assortingmachine; a rotatable jaw comprising a stem, lat-v erally-projecting arms on said stem, and a eXible face comprising a coil of resilient wire supported on said arms. v

40. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; the combination of a movable carrier, and a plurality of rotatable package-gripping jaws having oppositely-disposed faces and operably mounted on the carrier ingripping relations.

41. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; the combination of a movable carrier, and a plurality of rotatable package-gripping jaws having oppositely-disposed flexible faces composed of resilient material and operably mounted on the carrier in gripping relations.

42. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; the combination with a frame, and operable package-shifter; of a driver comprising oppositely-disposed cranks, a connectingrod supported by said cranks and having shifter-engaging arms and means to operate said rod. l 4

43. In a weight-testing and assorting machine; the combination with a frame, and an operable endless package-shifter havinglaterally projecting parts throughout its length; of a driver comprising oppositely-disposed cranks, a connecting-rod loo IIO

spaced equidistant supported by said cranks and havingarms adapted to engage said shifter parts, and a drving-crank operably connected with said ro 44. In a weight-testing and assorting machine, the combination with a frame and a continuously-operating package-conveyer, of reciprocating package-stops, resilient means for normally holding the stops advanced, a rock-shaft for alternately retracting the stops, and means for connecting the stops with the rock-shaft.

45. In aweight-testing and asserting machine, the combination with a frame and a continuously-operating package-conveyer, of substantially U-shaped reciprocating packageengaging stops, springs for normally holding the stops advanced, stirrups connected to the Stops, a rock-shaft for alternately retracting the stops, and a bar secured to the rock-shaft and engaging the stirrups.

46. In a weight-testing and asserting machine, the combination with a frame, of a package-shifting device, comprising an endless belt, wheels for said belt, a guideway for said belt having openings, shoes attached to said belt and running in said guide, laterallyprojecting jaws comprising stems rotatably mounted on said shoes, and wipers connected to the stems, said wipers trailing in the guideway for controlling the rotating of the jaws.

47. In a weight-testing and asserting machine, the combination with a frame, of a package-shifting device, comprising an endless belt, jaws projecting from said belt, resilient faces on the jaws, and means for operating the jaws to cause them to act in pairs and grip a package between their adjacent faces.

48. In a weight-testing and asserting machine, the combination with a frame, of a scale, means for feeding packages, means for regulating the feed, a shifter for carrjv'ing packages across the scale, means for assorti ng packages tested by the scale operated by the feed-regulator and controlled by the scale, and a plurality of conveyers for removing the assorted packages from the machine.

49. In a weight-testing and asserting machine, the combination with a frame, of a scale, a continuously-operating package-feeding belt, an alternately-operating feed-regulator associated with the belt, an intermittentlyoperated package-shifter having grippingjaws for carrying packages across the scale, an automatic switch-arm for assorting packages tested by the scale, means for operating said arm, a gate operated by the scale for operating the arm-operating means, and a pair of conveyers for removing tested packages from the machine.

50. In a weight-testing and assorting inachine, the combination with a frame, of a scale, a switch acting in conjunction with the scale, a pawl mechanism for operating the switch, and a gate operated by the scale for controlling the pawl mechanism.

Signed at Seattle, WVashington, this 8th day of August, 1902.

EDMUNI) AUGUSTIN E S M l'lll.

VV'tnesses:

SAM H. FURBER, ERNns'r B. HERALD. 

